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Season Ticket Member of the Month – Februaryhttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/02/20/season-ticket-member-of-the-month-february/
Tue, 20 Feb 2018 21:12:34 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50477

Nicholas Penna, a Hilton, New York resident and longtime Bills fan, has been a valued Season Ticket Member since 1991. Over the course of his membership, Penna has made many fond memories while attending Bills games and has even forged lasting relationships. While he’s had several exciting experiences, one that he’ll never forget is meeting his wife.

“It was the 2001 season…friends of mine knew someone who got us tickets,” said Penna when reminiscing on how they met. “My wife Candace was a server there. She was working in our section and I was with my buddy Andy [and] my father.”

After some words of encouragement from his dad, Penna introduced himself to her and the two hit it off.

“We got married in 2003,” said Penna. “Matter of fact, we had on-field passes before on-field passes were cool. We took some of our wedding photos on the field.”

Although it’s hard to top this memory, Penna has a few other favorites, including The Comeback Game and the recent snow game against the Indianapolis Colts.

“If I didn’t say The Comeback Game in 1993, I’d be lying but I’m sure everyone that was at that game… [would say that],” said Penna. “The excitement and energy [was great]. I’ve still never heard it louder.”

“Other things that stand out is the snow bowl we just had,” he explained. “I’ve never seen something like that…The only really snow game I can remember was the Divisional Playoff game against the Dolphins in 1990 – the ’90 season. It snowed pretty nicely that game but it didn’t compare to the snow that came down Dec. 10.”

Through the years, Penna has enjoyed watching some of his favorite players take the field. From running back Thurman Thomas to defensive tackle Kyle Williams and quarterback Tyrod Taylor, he’s loved every moment.

Nowadays, Penna shares his passion for the team with his family and views Sundays as an opportunity to spend quality time with them. A fireman for 17 years, Penna and company can be seen on game day wearing firemen helmets. For each Bills game, the group makes their way to Buffalo on Saturday so they can visit with Penna’s mother-in-law, who lives in Blasdell, prior to cheering on their favorite team.

Congratulations, Nicholas!

The Buffalo Bills would like to thank Nicholas for his many years of being a loyal Bills Season Ticket Member and our Season Ticket Member of the Month for the month of February. In addition to Nicholas being selected as a Season Ticket Member of the Month, he will receive a club seat upgrade, an autographed item and select Bills merchandise.

If you would like to nominate a Season Ticket Member of the Month, please fill out the form located here.

]]>kellyb615Fan Friday 2-16http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/02/16/fan-friday-2-16/
Fri, 16 Feb 2018 16:33:22 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50475Lets’ get right to your questions on Twitter at @ChrisBrownBills and on email at AskChris@bills.nfl.net.

1 – Hi Chris,

Many thanks for all the updates and info this past season. With all the focus on the upcoming draft is there any chance the Bills look to keep Tyrod with a new OC whose scheme may better fit Tyrod’s skill set? Then look to fill holes with all the draft picks they have acquired and/or hope one of the non-top 5 QB’s are still there at 21/22? I realize it is early in the process as GM Beane noted and a lot could change.

Thank you.
Bryon
Plattsburgh, NY

CB: You’re right that a lot can change between now and the week after the NFL draft. That being said, I think there is a real possibility that Tyrod Taylor remains the starter. There is a lot of uncertainty regarding the quarterback position in terms of what could be available in free agency and who is affordable in a way that doesn’t cripple a team’s cap situation.

As for new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, he certainly comes in with very recent experience working with a mobile quarterback in Alabama’s Jalen Hurts.

I’m sure there will be a lot of conversations among the offensive staff this offseason as to what, and with whom, their best approach would be to move the offense forward. The passing game was frankly substandard last season. Can Daboll help to improve it with Taylor in the lineup?

That’s the big question.

The next question is what other quarterback talent can the Bills realistically acquire in terms of price tag and/or draft capital.

There may not be defined answers on the draft capital question until a week or two before the draft. And with more demand than supply concerning free agent QBs, the price to acquire one is going up and some teams are likely going to overpay.

I get the sense that Bills GM Brandon Beane isn’t big on overpaying, even at QB.

2 – Hi Chris,

Do you think the Bills will draft another wide receiver? Or do you believe that Kelvin Benjamin, Jordan Matthews, Zay Jones, Deonte Thompson, and Brandon Tate are sufficient?

Your thoughts,
Tony Falzone
Daytona Beach, FL

CB: Perhaps the most important factor about your question is 60 percent of the players you mentioned are impending free agents. Matthews, Thompson and Tate all have expiring contracts come March.

It’s hard to know what each of those players is thinking, although I do know that Thompson enjoyed playing in Buffalo this past year having spoken with him.

Matthews needs a high-volume passing attack to maximize his value. Over the last three years the Bills are dead last in the league in pass attempts at just over 29 per game. Unless there’s a dramatic shift planned by offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, or a significant change at QB, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jordan Matthews looks elsewhere.

Let’s not forget too that he’s coming off a pair of offseason surgeries, so he may have to sign a one-year prove it deal, and that would only increase his need to find a high-volume passing attack.

Thompson and Tate should be affordable options to bring back to the fold. Hopefully a full offseason helps Kelvin Benjamin blend into the passing game more effectively and Zay Jones takes a big step in season two of his career.

What position do you see the Bills making their biggest-dollar signing at in free agency, presuming they look to make another Micah Hyde-level signing?

Parasauralophus
@lophus89

CB: I don’t get the overwhelming sense that the Bills will be big spenders in free agency. GM Brandon Beane has made it clear he is still trying to get the Bills cap in a more flexible position and sees free agency as a means to set themselves up for the draft.

To me that means filling some positional holes with value-based signings, not big splash type moves.

If there were to be a signing the level of Micah Hyde this offseason I think it would be at linebacker, defensive tackle or cornerback. And to be clear, not all three, but rather at one of those three positions. That is where they are short on numbers when it comes to starting-caliber players.

It’s reasonable to believe Beane would like to have a starting-caliber player plugged in at one of those positions prior to the draft at the very least.

There are numerous reports out there that the Bills have been scouting Josh Rosen extensively, do you think the Bills perceived high interest in him is smoke and mirrors, or will do what’s necessary to go get him?

Michael McMasters
@kidmickey85

CB: To be truthful I’d be disappointed if the Bills didn’t scout Josh Rosen and every other top quarterback prospect extensively. Buffalo’s scouting department wouldn’t be doing their level best if they didn’t scout each QB prospect extensively. It’s par for the course.

To what lengths would the Bills go to land Rosen, or any other QB prospect that may be at the top of their board?

That’s tough to peg, only because I believe it will largely depend on how the top of the board unfolds.

I don’t see the Bills paying a king’s ransom to get to the top of the board. There are just too many other holes for the team to address. Solving the quarterback position for the long term is perhaps the most important hole to fill, but a dozen other teams are looking to do the same thing.

That drives up the cost of doing business to accomplish that.

I think GM Brandon Beane feels out the market both in free agency and the draft and then makes a judgment call on whether it’s worth paying the price to address the QB position in a way that would satisfy him and head coach Sean McDermott.

I realize that’s probably not a pinpoint answer, but it’s the best I can do at this point.

Any chance the Bills draft a 1st round QB AND seek a big name free agent like a Foles, Cousins, or Bridgewater?

Jason Carroll
@jasonlikesfun

CB: I would be surprised if they did both.

The reason why is, if you’re drafting a QB in round one, you’re pretty convinced he’s your long-term answer at the position going forward. If he’s not then you shouldn’t be drafting him in round one.

The thought process is much the same with the free agent QBs you mentioned. If you’re going to land a free agent like Cousins or Bridgewater (provided he’s ruled a free agent – NFL Management Council has to determine this) you’re going to be either be paying franchise QB type money or parting with assets for Foles (who is under contract) that indicates you believe him to be franchise caliber.

If you’re willing to do that in free agency I think you’re committing to that player long term at the position. So drafting a QB in round one as well seems counterintuitive, especially when there are plenty of other positional holes to be filled on the roster.

]]>Chris BrownFrazier eager for 2018 season with Billshttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/02/13/frazier-eager-for-2018-season-with-bills/
Tue, 13 Feb 2018 20:28:17 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50473Although he was interviewing for the Colts head coaching job just last weekend, a job that has since gone to Frank Reich, Leslie Frazier is glad he’s back in Buffalo preparing for the 2018 campaign.

“I was out there on Saturday and met with their general manager and some of their other top brass,” said Frazier of his meeting with the Colts last weekend while appearing on the John Murphy Show. “It was a good experience. As you know Frank (Reich) got the job and I’m happy for him. A great guy and great friend. It was a great experience for me, but I’m looking forward to our 2018 season here in Buffalo.”

Frazier said the interview process was a bit unique for him and the other two candidates, Reich and Dan Campbell, knowing it was round two for the Colts after Josh McDaniels reneged on taking the job.

“It’s a short window to get prepared because nobody saw it coming. We were all on the same timeline and you just prepare and put your best foot forward,” said Frazier. “Every situation is different. They were looking for integrity and leadership and I think most teams are, but sometimes they’re looking for something a little bit different. But the interview wasn’t a whole lot different from what I’ve been through in the past.”

]]>Chris BrownFan Friday 2-9http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/02/09/fan-friday-2-9/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 16:44:23 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50471The 2018 offseason is in full swing now with the Super Bowl behind us. Lets’ get to your questions on Twitter at @ChrisBrownBills.

1 –@ChrisBrownBills
IMO their biggest hole, besides QB is at LB. Do you feel they will address this in FA or the draft? I believe we need a experienced MLB.

Tim Feathers
@tbill538

CB: Linebacker is unquestionably a hole because of who they could potentially lose to free agency. Preston Brown and Ramon Humber are both free agents. That’s two starting caliber players. Obviously, they could re-sign one or both, but it will be interesting to see if Brown wants to test the market, knowing a player’s second contract is usually the big money one.

Also the Bills would undoubtedly like to get faster at the linebacker position. I believe the team’s decision on Brown will ultimately determine their course of action at linebacker. If he’s back I see them supplementing the position primarily with the draft. If not, it’s likely to be a mix of free agency and the draft.

Will Bills look to replace Brian Gaine? I really liked their front office acquisitions last off-season and hope they try and maintain multiple quality personnel and GM types
BC72
@bchud1972

CB: I think that’s to be determined. With Lake Dawson also up for the Panthers GM job, Buffalo could lose two members of their scouting department. I think when GM Brandon Beane knows whether Dawson is back or not he’ll then assess the duties of those men and decide if they need to replace either by promoting from within and hiring from the outside.

You are right though, Beane assembled a heck of a staff in year one, and the pursuit of some of his hires is a strong validation of that.

With the money that Smith and Jimmy G got, so the Bills a) pickup TT option and draft a guy to sit behind him for a year similar to Smith or b) pickup his option and trade him as it would still, at $18 million, be cheaper than signing some of the higher end FA right now?

Ryan Cox
@RyanACox34

CB: Getting Tyrod to renegotiate his deal last offseason was an astute move by the Bills. Though some still see the $18M cap hit as tough to swallow, it’s a very reasonable deal. And the chance of them going another season with Tyrod at QB while drafting a QB to groom is possible.

It’s hard to predict which way it will turn, knowing there will be quarterback options in free agency, potentially by trade if the Eagles are willing to listen to offers for Nick Foles and in the draft.

4 – @ChrisBrownBills
Would you personally trade the #Bills’ 21, 22, and RD3 to Denver for the fifth-overall pick if Rosen and Darnold are off the board?

Dean Kindig
@TCBILLS_Astro

CB: I personally wouldn’t. I think those two are by far the top two QB prospects from all the scouting people I’ve talked to around the league over the last few months. Unless you feel players like Baker Mayfield and Mason Rudolph are right there with them and still on the board I don’t make that deal.

I think you only give that draft capital up for one of the best QBs in the draft, not QB three or four, especially since I feel there is a drop off that’s more sizable than pick 2 to pick 5.

CB: I think there’s a legitimate chance they’ll make an effort to re-sign him. It all depends on the supply and demand in free agency. The market will have some decent talent available if players don’t re-sign with their current clubs (e.g. Malcolm Butler, Rashaan Melvin, Trumaine Johnson), but I don’t think the Bills want to pay giant money.

Gaines durability issues (he’s missed 26 games over last 3 seasons) figure to make him a more affordable option, plus he’s just 26-years old. So his affordability makes him a realistic re-sign candidate. The only thing that changes that is if they can find a more durable player without having to pay significantly more.

]]>Chris BrownReport: Frazier to interview with Colts on Saturdayhttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/02/09/report-frazier-to-interview-with-colts-on-saturday/
Fri, 09 Feb 2018 16:02:17 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50469The Colts second round of searching for their next head coach begins today as they interview Philadelphia offensive coordinator Frank Reich. According to a report, Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier will interview with the club this weekend.

]]>Chris BrownReport: Colts request to interview Frazierhttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/02/08/report-colts-request-to-interview-frazier/
Thu, 08 Feb 2018 14:35:19 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50467The reports that the Indianapolis Colts, in their search for a new head coach, would be interested in Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. That interest appears to be legitimate as there are reports now that the Colts have asked the Bills for permission to interview Frazier.

That according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

Source: The #Colts sent in a request to interview #Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier for their vacant head coaching position. Owner Jim Irsay is a big fan, Frazier might restore normalcy

Frazier worked for the Colts as an assistant under Tony Dungy from 2005-2006 serving as a defensive assistant in 2005 and assistant head coach and defensive backs coach in 2006.

]]>Chris BrownPosition breakdown for NFL Combinehttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/02/07/position-breakdown-for-nfl-combine/
Wed, 07 Feb 2018 20:18:06 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50465By now most NFL fans know there will be 19 quarterback prospects at the NFL combine coming up at the end of the month in Indianapolis. There are a few other positions that will make up the bulk of the 322 prospects who have been invited.

Here’s a look at the number of prospects by position who will be gathered in Indianapolis beginning on Feb. 28th.

]]>Chris BrownProjected 2018 franchise and transition tagshttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/02/06/projected-2018-franchise-and-transition-tags/
Tue, 06 Feb 2018 21:07:27 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50463The league hasn’t officially determined what the salary cap will be for 2018-2019 league year, but it’s again expected to go up. Meanwhile in most cases the franchise and transition tag figures for 2018 are expected to go up too. The number crunchers at overthecap.com put together a projected list by position.

2018 Projected Franchise and Transition Tenders

Position

Franchise Tag

Transition Tag

QB

$23,090,000

$20,861,000

DE

$17,540,000

$14,600,000

WR

$16,465,000

$14,206,000

LB

$15,469,000

$13,126,000

CB

$14,946,000

$12,951,000

OL

$14,538,000

$12,989,000

DT

$14,529,000

$11,698,000

RB

$11,724,000

$9,498,000

S

$11,081,000

$9,497,000

TE

$10,360,000

$8,624,000

ST

$5,056,000

$4,604,000

2018 Projected RFA Tenders

Type

Amount

First Round

$4,152,000

Second Round

$2,916,000

Original Round

$1,908,000

]]>Chris BrownKirk Cousins talks opportunity, landing spotshttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/02/02/kirk-cousins-talks-opportunity-landing-spots/
Fri, 02 Feb 2018 20:53:03 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50461Washington QB Kirk Cousins believes he will be hitting the free agent market come mid-March after his team acquired QB Alex Smith from Kansas City via trade (trade won’t be official until March). Cousins was on Sirius XM NFL Radio at the Super Bowl in Minneapolis today and is intrigued by the opportunity to hit the free agent market.

“It was a surprise. I was working out in my hotel room in Minneapolis and after I finished my workout I had a ton of text messages and saw the news. It came as a surprise. I hadn’t heard anything,” said Cousins of the Alex Smith trade. “In this league and my story I’ve learned that curve balls come all the time.

“I expect to be a free agent come March 14th. We’ll see how that plays out, if it does it’s a unique opportunity I look forward to. I haven’t had a chance to choose where I play since 2007 when I chose to go to Michigan State so I’m looking forward to that opportunity.”

With respect to what he might be looking for in a new team, Cousins offered the following.

“I think it’s a pretty short checklist. At the end of the day I want to win. That’s the plan,” he said. “There are a lot of variables that decide do we think we can win, but that will ultimately what makes the decision.”

Cousins appeared to keep his options open as he referenced the sudden turnaround in Jacksonville as an example of how any team can suddenly become a winner. He seems to be indicating that he could join almost any team and help them become a winner like Jacksonville was this past season.

“In this league the winning thing comes and goes,” he said. “You look at what Jacksonville was able to do and no one expected them to do that back in July. But they put together a good team and went all the way to the AFC Championship game. So a lot can change year to year. I believe there are a lot of places you can win because it does change so much year to year.”

CB: I think it’s difficult to provide a straight answer to this question. The reason why is this is a very unique situation. I can’t remember the last time a quarterback of this caliber, without an injury issue (See: P. Manning, Brees) had a strong chance of hitting the free agent market.

While I think it would be only natural for the Bills to be interested in a player who over the last three seasons ranks third in completion percentage (67%) fourth in passing yards (13,176), eighth in touchdowns (81) and is tied for first in pass plays of 25 yards or more (113), the first question is does he make it to the free agent market?

There’s a good chance that one of the many teams interested in Cousins will blink and try to orchestrate a trade with Washington for Cousins to avoid competing with the other clubs for his services in free agency.

Having not seen the Beane-McDermott duo in action for a full offseason it will be interesting to see what they value more.

If they do in fact have a strong interest in Cousins, are they more willing to give up draft capital to land the QB via trade?

Or are they more willing to compromise cap space by outbidding competitors for Cousins should he hit the free agent market and hold onto their draft assets?

Knowing the Bills have a lot of holes to fill, their draft assets would appear to be a priority, but the chance to land a QB with franchise-caliber numbers (whether you believe in Cousins or not) could trump that.

That’s what makes the Cousins sweepstakes so compelling. What are teams that need a proven producer like Cousins at QB willing to give up to get him?

CB: Again a major hypothetical. The price to move into the top 10 this year might require more than most years because of the demand to get into prime quarterback territory this year. The price is likely to be too steep to get into the top 10. I believe if a QB slips for whatever reason down to 10 or 11, then I believe a trade up is more likely, but the Bills won’t be alone in that kind of pursuit.

As for Lamar Jackson, I’m in the Bill Polian camp on the Louisville QB. He’s a ridiculous and rare athlete with the ball in his hands. But I don’t think Jackson is a quarterback in the NFL. His accuracy still isn’t consistent enough to keep drives alive in the NFL.

A recent mock draft had the Bills drafting back-to-back DTs in the first round and addressing QB in the 2nd round. Do you think there’s any chance of that happening?

Parasauralophus
@lophus89

CB: The draft is so far off and so many things can happen between now and then that just about anything is possible. Right now the Bills have only Adolphus Washington and Ricky Hatley under contract at DT. If Kyle Williams chooses to continue playing then I think back-to-back DTs become unlikely. But if not, there is a gaping hole in the middle of the defensive interior. So it’s not outlandish to think that could happen.

QB in the second round is also possible if they can’t get up the board to prime QB territory. There are so many variables with trades and free agency that you can’t narrow down the possibilities at this point.

Do you see Ryan Groy taking over the starting Center position or do the Bills need to add one in the draft?

Coach
@MoneyAce1984

CB: As we addressed in our filling the void story on Buffalobills.com this week, I believe Groy is the odds on favorite to take over the starting center role. Drafting a center isn’t a common occurrence unless there’s a stud in round one or a good value on day two (See Minnesota’s: Pat Elflein).

I do expect the Bills to address the depth of their offensive line both at tackle and on the interior. A versatile player who can duplicate what Groy did as a backup center and swing guard would be a good add.

CB: The first thing that has to happen is he has to get healthy after undergoing a procedure on his foot. All indications are he is doing well in his rehabilitation and will be ready for the start of the offseason conditioning program in April.

He has proven that he’s a solid starting left tackle in this league. If the Bills are committed to clearing more cap space, Cordy Glenn would be a logical option knowing his cap figure is the second-highest on the team for 2018 next to Tyrod Taylor.

There are always teams looking for quality pass protectors, so if that proves to be the plan moving forward it would not be difficult to find interested parties.

]]>Chris BrownSteve Tasker’s son on Jets radarhttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/02/02/steve-taskers-son-on-jets-radar/
Fri, 02 Feb 2018 19:30:38 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50457In case you may have missed it the New York Jets had an interesting CFL wide receiver in for a tryout this week with a tie to the Bills.

Hamilton TigerCats WR Luke Tasker, son of Bills Wall of Famer Steve Tasker had a tryout with the Jets according to ESPN NFL reporter Field Yates.

Source: WR Luke Tasker, a CFL standout and son of former Pro Bowl WR Steve Tasker, worked out for the Jets today. He posted 104 catches for 1,167 yards and 7 TDs this past CFL season.

Tasker (5-11, 189) has been tearing it up in the CFL the last few seasons, but his 2017 season was his career best across the board. He initially had a two-year contract offer from the Green Bay Packers back in 2014 with a chance to make the roster, but he chose to stay with the TigerCats. Now 27, it appears Tasker may get some looks for some NFL clubs again.

]]>Chris BrownReport: Eagles tried to get McCoy backhttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/02/02/report-eagles-tried-to-get-mccoy-back/
Fri, 02 Feb 2018 14:28:10 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50455The Bills acquisition of LeSean McCoy may go down as one of the best trades in team history. McCoy has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons with Buffalo and the Bills led the league in rushing in two of those seasons. A New York Daily News story on the success of Eagles VP Howie Roseman’s reconstruction of the Philadelphia roster, in the wake of the Chip Kelly hiring and firing, mentions McCoy as the one key piece that the Eagles wanted to reacquire, but couldn’t.

Kelly’s decision to trade McCoy to Buffalo for Alonso never made sense. Roseman tried to get McCoy back in a deal with Buffalo through back-channel intermediaries, according to sources. One of Philly’s off-the-books offers for McCoy, who has been a Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons with the Bills, was a package of players that included wide receiver Jordan Matthews, according to sources. Matthews ultimately was traded to the Bills for cornerback Ronald Darby last summer.

Roseman’s desire to bring back McCoy was one of the few moves that he couldn’t pull off, but he had seemingly solved his most glaring problem in the first phase of his accelerated rebuild: He found his franchise quarterback.

It sounds like Roseman’s efforts to get McCoy back never turned into a formal offer to the Bills. That’s probably because his exploratory talks with whatever back channels Mehta is referencing gave strong indication that it wasn’t an option.

This is likely why the Eagles subsequently made the trade for Jay Ajayi during the season.

]]>Chris BrownButler has history with McDermotthttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/01/31/butler-has-history-with-mcdermott/
Wed, 31 Jan 2018 14:49:02 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50448It’s not surprising that Bills new secondary coach John Butler has a history with head coach Sean McDermott, but their ties are not from the coaching world.

The two accomplished coaches have never coached together. Butler and McDermott were actually high school teammates on the LaSalle College high school football team in Philadelphia.

In fact, last year when McDermott was being viewed as the favorite for the Bills head coaching job, the Houston Chronicle speculated that then Houston secondary coach John Butler could be a consideration for Buffalo’s defensive coordinator post.

“John Butler is an excellent coach,” O’Brien said. “John Butler, in my opinion, is destined for great things in this profession. I think he’ll be a coordinator someday. I think he’ll be a head football coach somewhere someday. Did a great job for us at Penn State and he’s done an excellent job for us here as guys really rely on him. He’s a very energetic guy.

“He’s a very smart guy, very quick-minded guy. Very detail oriented and works very hard. He’s in here early, stays late. Great family guy, father and husband. He does a great job all the way around.”

The Houston Chronicle also quoted former Houston DC Romeo Crennel for his thoughts on Butler as a coach.

“I think several guys on the defensive staff have the ability to be coordinators, and I think John is definitely one who can be a coordinator, has been a coordinator,” Crennel said in reference to his year as Penn State DC. “He’s a very hard worker, he’s detailed. I think it’s hard to outwork him. He’s got a good football mind, makes adjustments on the sideline.”

Former Houston CB A.J. Bouye, who signed a huge free agent contract with Jacksonville, after emerging as a Pro Bowl caliber talent under Butler, credited him for his development into a premier NFL cornerback.

“He’s helped me out a lot,” said Bouye, of Butler. “Sometimes, we joke about all the meetings we have. At the end of the day, you have to appreciate it. He’s always letting us know what to expect. We watch so much film. He’s keeping us alert and he’s helped out a lot on our techniques and studying film. It makes it easy.”

]]>Chris BrownCentral Florida OLB Griffin gets Combine invitehttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/01/30/central-florida-olb-griffin-gets-combine-invite/
Tue, 30 Jan 2018 19:49:33 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50451He impressed at the Senior Bowl last week, but had yet to be invited to the NFL Combine in Indianapolis at the end of February. That is until now. Central Florida OLB Shaquem Griffin announced on his Twitter account that he has been invited to the NFL Combine.

Griffin is the draft prospect, who at age four had to have his left hand amputated due to a condition called amniotic band syndrome, but he has overcome the perceived deficiency to become a productive college player. Coaches lined up Griffin at DE, LB and S at the Senior Bowl practices last week.

]]>Chris BrownBills team up with Republic Services to make environmental impact at New Era Fieldhttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/01/30/bills-team-up-with-republic-services-to-make-environmental-impact-at-new-era-field/
Tue, 30 Jan 2018 14:07:53 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50445

This year, the Buffalo Bills once again proudly teamed up with Republic Services to make a significant impact on the environment. At each home game during the 2017-18 season, the Republic Services Blue Team collected the trash generated at New Era Field and converted it into a clean and renewable power source, such as steam and electricity. From there, the energy was used to power homes and factories in the area!

This remarkable process generated 204,635 kilowatts of renewable electricity, which was enough to power 214 homes for one month. It also saved 15,626 gallons of fuel and avoided 372.06 tons of greenhouse gases from being emitted.

For more stats on how the Bills and Republic Services made a positive impact this year, click here.

]]>kellyb615Report: Mayfield “meets extensively” with Billshttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/01/26/report-mayfield-meets-extensively-with-bills/
Fri, 26 Jan 2018 20:30:33 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50440By no means were the Bills the only team who spent time with Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield at the Senior Bowl, but according to SI.com Robert Klemko, Buffalo was one of four teams he met with extensively.

Mayfield is here to meet with teams that might actually draft him, and he’s had extensive meetings with four of them; the Saints, Bills, Jets and Dolphins. And they put him through the ringer, teaching him some of their offensive concepts and asking him to recall them an hour later.

“That’s the only upside for me [being here],” Mayfield says of the meetings with teams. “I’m confident I can show exactly what I’m about, how much I care about football and how I’d do anything to win. And not just that. Put me on a board and let me show you how much I know about the game. Let me show that I can pick information up, take it and run with it. Getting in front of these people was so important, even bigger than the three years of film I put together.”

Mayfield likely won’t be the only quarterback prospect with whom the Bills meet between now and late April. In fact Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph confirmed he had a meeting scheduled with the Bills in Mobile this week. It’s part of their due diligence, and their extensive time with Mayfield only helps to complete the evaluation.

]]>Chris BrownTop TE prospect out at Senior Bowlhttp://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/01/23/top-te-prospect-out-at-senior-bowl/
Wed, 24 Jan 2018 04:18:18 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50437It happened in the first practice with the South team. TE Dallas Goedert is a small-school prospect out of South Dakota State, who had tremendous production over the last two years. The challenge this week was to see if his play could translate against top flight talent at the Senior Bowl. Unfortunately that opportunity has vanished.

Goedert came up hobbling with an ankle injury early in Tuesday’s practice and is now out for the rest of the week. Joining him is fellow TE Adam Breneman out of UMASS. Short a pair of tight ends, the Senior Bowl has brought in Western Kentucky TE Deon Yelder. He’ll wear jersey number 86.

Mayfield, according to Senior Bowl Executive Director, Phil Savage, was delayed due to a personal family matter. The Oklahoma QB went home to Austin, Texas over the weekend.

He was scheduled to arrive in Mobile in time for practices, but fellow QB prospect Josh Allen, who is also on the North Team said at his press conference last evening that he had yet to meet him.

The Denver Broncos requested more time with Mayfield when he arrived as he presumably needed to meet with the Denver Broncos coaching staff to get prepared for today’s practice. The Broncos are coaching the North team this week.

Mayfield will be the first Heisman winner to participate and play in the Senior Bowl since Tim Tebow in 2007.

]]>Chris BrownFan Friday 1-19http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2018/01/19/fan-friday-1-19/
Fri, 19 Jan 2018 16:26:47 +0000http://blogs.buffalobills.com/?p=50431We’ll have full Senior Bowl practice coverage next week Bills fans, so keep it close to Buffalobills.com and the John Murphy Show! Now to your questions on Twitter at @ChrisBrownBills.

Do you think Rudolph could be a target pick for bills? Keep some draft capital get him at 21?

Brian@Bhainsy

CB: Right now Rudolph is a bit off the pace as a QB prospect from the top four (Darnold, Rosen, Allen, Mayfield), due primarily to the fact that NFL clubs don’t know what his mental processing skills are on a football field. He has all the physical tools to be a pocket passer in the NFL, but he played in a very simple offense. So calling plays, diagnosing coverages, reading progressions, taking snaps under center are all unknowns. That’s why it’s unfortunate that Rudolph won’t be practicing this week at the Senior Bowl. He could’ve begun to answer some of those questions by putting his decision making during team periods of practice on display.

I think at this point it’s very realistic that he’ll be on the board for the Bills in the early 20’s. He’s currently projected as a late one, early two by some of the more respected draft prognosticators.

Do you foresee Shady becoming more of a change of pace back/third down back to preserve his career a few more years? It would be nice to get a solid move the chains type bruiser for early downs…thoughts?

Alan C
@alancolic

CB: McCoy did not show any signs of slowing down whatsoever in 2017. That said, he’ll be 30-years old for 2018. I personally see him as one of the exceptions to the popular rule that running backs decline after their 28th birthday. The main reason being his running style doesn’t expose him to big time hits which cause the most wear and tear on the body.

I am however, in favor of getting a capable back who can reduce the workload on McCoy. The Bills did a good job managing his carries. He averaged 18 carries per game in 2017, which I think would still be manageable for McCoy going forward. But introducing a steady backup, who can get five to 10 carries per game would be advisable to prolong McCoy’s freshness through the latter stages of the season, especially if there are playoff games in January where the offense will naturally lean on him more.

Chicken-egg situation: do the #Bills draft a QB with skill set that fits what Daboll wants to do? Or design offense around whatever QB they draft?

Tyler Moss
@TyLynnMoss

CB: While I believe there is some consideration to the style of offense the Bills would prefer to run in drafting a quarterback prospect, I don’t think it would preclude the Bills from taking the player they believe to be the best prospect at the position when they’re on the board.

It’s not the best example, but Cam Newton, a player who was drafted in Carolina when both Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott were there wasn’t an ideal fit for a pro-style offense. He was not a pure passer and he never played in a pro system, but he was far and away the best prospect at the position.

So, in general I think most NFL clubs tend to focus on drafting the best player at the position, then worry about how they’ll make use of his skill set.

What do you think Cordy Glenn’s future is with the Bills? If they move on, does he have trade value with that contract?

Josh McCarty
@Josh_McCarty28

CB: Step one for Glenn is to get back to full health following the latest procedure on his foot. By all accounts he is doing very well in his rehabilitation and is on track to be full go for the start of the offseason conditioning program in April.

I do understand why there is speculation about Glenn being a trade option for the Bills, knowing how well Dion Dawkins performed at left tackle in Glenn’s absence.

Taking that hypothetical situation a step further, it’s obvious that Glenn’s cap figure for 2018 ($14.45M) is second only to Tyrod Taylor ($18M) on Buffalo’s roster.

But to move Glenn via trade or outright release prior to June 1st would only give Buffalo a cap savings of $4.85M with $9.6M in dead money still on their books.

If the Bills moved him after June 1st, such a move becomes more fiscally responsible.

The cap savings would be more than $11M and the dead money would be cut by two-thirds ($3.2M). However, moving a player via trade that late in the offseason is rare, but quality left tackles with a proven track record and just 28-years old are not easy to find. So even that late in the game I think he absolutely has trade value.

Just knowing how much GM Brandon Beane wants to continue to clear dead money off the Bills cap so they have more flexibility in their spending going forward, I find it hard to fathom them trying to move Cordy Glenn prior to June 1st knowing the cap implications mentioned above.

NOTE: For those wondering if you can designate a player you intend to trade as a post-June 1st designation, it doesn’t appear that you can. When you designate a player as a post-June 1st cut, the contract is immediately terminated and the team no longer holds any rights to the player.

So it would appear to be impossible to designate a traded player as a post-June 1st trade, because the team technically would not have the rights to said player, and thus no commodity to trade. The actual trade, as mentioned above, would seemingly have to take place after June 1st for the aforementioned cap savings to be realized.

If Bills lose Gaines to free agency, does corner become high draft priority?

Patrick Schrader
@Pjschrades16

CB: If you’re down a starting caliber corner and you don’t feel you have an adequate replacement on your roster, then yes it does become a priority. Knowing that Leonard Johnson is also a free agent could increase the positional need even more.

So if Gaines doesn’t return, I think positionally it becomes a priority, but I’m not ready to peg it a draft priority. Let’s see what free agency can bring the team first if necessary.

From a small town named Albion, located in-between Buffalo and Rochester, lived a Bills fan like no other. While her peers played on the playground, Erica Kuntz attended Bills games playing in the aisles with the children surrounding her families Season Ticket Member seats. She grew up immersed in Buffalo football, cheering weekly for the team her family still loves and cherishes today.

The tradition of attending Bills games first began when her grandfather purchased Season Tickets in 1984. Since then the tickets have been passed from generation to generation, beginning with her mother and then about five years ago being passed to her. When visiting New Era Field for current games, Kuntz brings her three-year-old daughter, keeping the family tradition of Bills football alive.

As a young girl, Kuntz favored the defense particularly her all-time favorite player, defensive end Bruce Smith. While personnel have changed throughout the years, her love of defense remained the same, cheering these days for defensive tackle Kyle Williams.

As one could imagine, Kuntz has several tailgate rituals. In order to make game days feel right, Kuntz always drives her car which proudly showcases her Bills love with a custom-made license plate. After arriving at the field, Kuntz enters the gates early to watch her favorite team warmup and prepare for another one-of-a-kind day at New Era Field.

“You go to the game and start talking with the people parked near you at the tailgate,” stated Kuntz. “You give high fives to the people that are sitting by you when you score a touchdown. You really are part of this Bills family even though you are talking to people that you’ve probably never met before.”

As a Season Ticket Member, Kuntz has gotten to experience a behind the scenes look at Bills football and even announced a draft pick!

“As a Season Ticket Member, you get to go even beyond just watching the game and kind of see the inner workings of what is going on,” stated Kuntz.

Congratulations, Erica!

The Buffalo Bills would like to thank Erica for her many years of being a loyal Bills Season Ticket Member and our Season Ticket Member of the Month for the month of January. In addition to Erica being selected as a Season Ticket Member of the Month, she will receive a club seat upgrade, an autographed item and select Bills merchandise.

If you would like to nominate a Season Ticket Member of the Month, please fill out the form located here.